The body of a missing Kentucky woman and University of Kentucky Healthcare doctor was found July 3 in Alaska.
Alaska Wildlife Troopers were notified July 1 when 62-year-old Marites Buenafe of Kentucky was overdue from a hike near Mount Roberts. Buenafe had departed a cruise ship that morning with plans to hike Gold Ridge to Gastineau Peak, according to a press release from the Alaska State Troopers.
The Juneau Mountain Rescue started conducting a search operation to find Buenafe including an aerial search. The search efforts were paused overnight and resumed July 2 with the use of a dog team.
On July 3, the search continued, with dozens of troopers, dogs, volunteers and drones. Weather conditions limited the use of helicopter searches. Just before noon on July 3, “an Alaska Army National Guard helicopter crew located Marites’ body approximately 1,700 feet below the ridge line of Gold Ridge,” the press release stated.
The body of Marites was recovered and next of kin have been notified. Her body will be sent to a medical examiner for an autopsy.
Contact business reporter Olivia Evans at oevans@courier-journal.com or on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter at @oliviamevans_.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Missing UK Healthcare employee’s body found in Alaska, police say